Category Archives: Healthy Recipe

Hispanic Heritage Month~ Chicken Ropa Vieja

In keeping with Hispanic Heritage month I am going to share another of my fav’s. A Cuban staple….the all loving Ropa Vieja with of course a few changes to make it better :)

Ropa Vieja is typically done with skirt steak. Since skirt steak can be quite fatty I’ve enhanced the dish by changing its main ingredient.  I assure you taste will not be sacrificed! Your taste buds and waistline will be thanking me after you try this dish :)

Ropa Vieja a la Barbara~


Ingredients~

  • 1 1/2 pounds of skinless chicken breast
  • one can tomato sauce with onion and garlic
  • one third cup of EVOO
  • one onion chopped
  • two garlic cloves chopped
  • one green pepper chopped
  • one can red peppers (pimiento morrones)
  • one tbsp. salt
  • two tbsp. cilantro
  • one tsp. cumin
  • one bay leaf

Directions~

  1. In a saucepan bring salted water to a boil and cook chicken breast over medium heat for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked.
  2. Drain the water, let it cool and shred the chicken.
  3. In a skillet heat the oil and add the onion, garlic, and pepper. Mix until tender, then add the tomato sauce, cumin, and bay leaf.
  4. Add the shredded chicken and cook for another ten minutes stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf.
  6. Garnish with cilantro & pimientos
  7. Enjoy over Brown Rice preferably :) Could also be enjoyed alone with a salad/veggies as well.

Serves 4

*Chicken Breast can also be substituted with Turkey breast.

Buen Aprovecho!

Besos y Abrazoz…xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS For more recipes on traditional Latino dishes prepared the healthy way be sure to pick up a copy of “….Barbara por Atras” A Latin Woman’s Guide to Fitness today!

 

Kale Chips….Oh YUM!

Loving healthy snacking!

Kale Chips has been our thing this Summer and have a feeling its going to stick around for a while :)

Enjoy a quick & easy, delish, superfood, healthy snack!! If all the pluses Kale provides doesn’t persuade you into giving it a try, well then I give up! Nahhhh….Never!!! I will keep on hounding you all until forever!  Healthy living baby! :)

Enjoy!  Kale Chips~


  • 2 cups of Kale ~ Markets sell them pre-cut in large bags
  • EVOO
  • S&P to taste
  • Garlic Powder
  1. Spread Kale onto a lightly greased baking pan~ I spray EVOO
  2. Sprinkle EVOO over Kale along with S&P and Garlic powder
  3. Place in a pre-heated 400 degree oven
  4. Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges start browning
  5. Remove from the oven, toss, cool, and munch! :)

Buen Aprovecho!  Happy Smart Snacking!! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Tailgating Season!

It has started! Football, Tailgating, Funday Sunday!! And sometimes even Monday’s & Thursdays! :)

Yesterday was our first home pre-season game for our #1 Team the JETS!!! Ever since we became season ticket holders  its been a whole family affair! We were reminiscing about the days Veronica at 3yrs old would go to the games in her cheerleader uniform with pom pom’s and all :) Now she wheres her Sanchez jersey and plays football in the parking lot! :)

Packing our cooler and preparing our snacks got me thinking. Is it really necessary to eat so un-healthy during these football outings?? Must we load up on the greasy grilling, cheesy nachos & fries, subs, chips, beer & more…… Of course Michael thinks so but when I packed my cooler and gave him no choice he realized it doesn’t have to be.

I am going to give you a peak into what you may find in my cooler on any given Sunday so that you too can hopefully think about what it is you are eating before & while you are enjoying your fav game. It really isn’t necessary to consume 5000 calories and hundreds of grams of fat in one day!!

Gomez Gang Green’s Cooler~

  • Turkey Sandwiches or Turkey/Lean beef Burgers if we’re grilling
  • Low sodium ham, part skim mozz cheese, & roasted peppers on whole grain bread/panini
  • Chicken sausages for the grill with peppers & onions
  • Cut up fruit & veggies with my honeylicious dip
  • Low Fat Cabot Cheddar Cheese & Crackers
  • Quinoa
  • Pita Chips
  • Soy Chips
  • Nuts
  • My yummy home made Guacamole & Salsa
  • Water bottles
  • Juice for the kids
  • Light Beer ~ I am human after all :)

Don’t let a fun day ruin your diet and damage your health. Unfortunately the stats aren’t getting any better. Diabetes is on the rise and obesity is killing. Both can be reversed with a little dedication and smart choices!

Make today your day to make those right choices.

Have a great one! AND GO JETS!! :)

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Have you visited my new Blog on BambiBFit? What are you waiting for!! Great Health & Fitness tips for the WHOLE Family!! :)        http://www.bambibfit.com/

 

 

 

Stay Cool with My Latino Voice!

Enjoy some of my fav’s during these HOT days! Gracias to My Latino Voice!! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Hydrated & Listen to your Body! Make it a Great one while enjoying the Journey! :)

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS. Visit http://www.mylatinovoice.com/ for great info & fab recipes! :)

Honey Energy Tweet Chat! Join the Party!

Chances are you will be in front of a computer today at 3pm PT 6pm ET so why not enjoy a Honeylicious Twitter Party with me & the National Honey Board!?!?! Great info on Health, Fitness, & great Honey recipes will be shared, in addition to awesome GIVEAWAYS!! All you have to do is go to http://tweetchat.com/room/honeyenergy and follow along with twitter hashtag #HoneyEnergy.  Don’t miss out! Tweet you there! :)

Y pues claro se habla Español :)

Have a Great One! Make it Count…Get Moving! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, Y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Take a Break

….but not a complete break :)  I’ll be taking a nice much needed break this coming Friday which means I will be “somewhat” disconnected from my everyday responsibilities.  We are taking a nice family vacation which I am soooo looking forward to! :) Familia, Fun, & Sun….can’t get any better than that! Oh wait, yes it can! FITNESS too! Especially while on vacation I like to get in some extra physical activity. I aim at doing something new. Could be a surf class! YES on my bucket list!!! :) Or hiking. Whatever it is, its important that we move and do something. Even if it is swimming all day with the kids. Anything than just plopping on a lounge chair sipping cocktails and waiting for the food to be served :(  How many times have we said, “I have to go on a diet after this vacation!” Why? That is not necessary. We can have the time of our lives, make fabulous memories, enjoy different foods, AND still have FUN! Today I am going to share with you two things I do while on vacation. First I prepare a healthy snack to take on my flight and next I take in my mind/body :)  Healthy Granola & Planks! Hotel floors and sand are GREAT for planks and unfortunately these days flights are so cheap on what they offer, without to mention unhealthy, I take a healthy goody bag with me. Sliced apples, turkey sandwiches, protein bars, granola….. :)  My healthy granola is delish.  Created it for the Miel Pura campaign and sharing with you all today in both English & Spanish once again, followed by my Week 7 Video Workout the Plank….La Plancha :)

Power Bowl Miel y Granola

Ingredientes ~ 4 porciones

  • ½ taza de miel
  • 4 tazas de avena
  • 1 taza de almendras rebanadas
  • 1 taza de semillas de girasol crudas
  • ¼ de semillas de lino
  • ⅓ taza de aceite de canola
  • 1 cucharadita de extracto de vainilla
  • 1 cucharada de canela en polvo
  • ½ taza de arándanos (cranberries) secos y endulzados

Preparación

  1. Precalienta el horno a 300°F.
  2. En un tazón grande, mezcla la avena, las almendras, las semillas de lino y las semillas de girasol. En otro tazón, mezcla el aceite, la miel, el extracto de vainilla y la canela. Agrega la preparación de miel a la mezcla de avena y revuelve hasta unir todos los ingredientes.
  3. Esparce la mezcla combinada en dos bandejas para hornear que no estén engrasadas.
  4. Hornea durante 10 minutos, retira y revuelve. Vuelve a colocar en el horno y hornea hasta que la mezcla de granola se dore. Aproximadamente 10 minutos más. Una vez que se dore, retira del horno y deja enfriar por completo.
  5. Una vez que la preparación se haya enfriado por completo, agrégale los arándanos secos y endulzados.

Sirve y ¡disfruta!

*Para un excelente snack, la granola puede comerse sola o bien puede triturarse para agregar a un yogurt, helado o leche descremada.

 

Power Bowl Healthy Granola in English

Ingredients: 4 Servings

  • 4 cups of Rolled Oats
  • I cup sliced Almonds
  • 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • ¼ flax seeds
  • 1/3 cup Canola Oil
  • ½ cup Honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
  2. In a large bowl, stir oats, nuts, & sunflower seeds. In a separate bowl mix oil, honey, vanilla extract, & cinnamon.  Add to the oat, nut, & seed mixture and mix well.
  3. Spread mixture onto two ungreased baking sheets.
  4. Bake in oven for 10 minutes, remove & stir. Return to the oven and bake until granola mixture is golden brown. This should take about 10 more minutes.  Once golden remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  5. Once completely cooled mix in the sweetened dried cranberries.
  6. Serve & Enjoy!

* Granola can be eaten alone or crumbled and added to anything from Yogurt to Frozen Yogurt to Ice Cream to Skim milk. Add it to berries and it’s a great healthy snack!

 

 

 

 

Have a Great Healthy & Fit One!! Make it Happen while Enjoying the Journey! :)

Besos y Abrazos…..xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

 

Piña Colada Protein Smoothie

One of the many fabulous things I have done while on the Miel Pura campaign for The National Honey Board was hit the kitchen and develop some yummy honeylicious recpies! My family has loved this process and I of course have savored every delicious ingredient.  I am going to share them all with you so you too can enjoy! I am starting with one that is perfect for the summer…..The Piña Colada Protein Smoothie also known as in Spanish as el Licuado Energizante  Piña Colada :)  Below are recipes in both languages….because after all that is what I pride myself in a Bi-Cultural Modern American Woman…blending the BEST of both worlds! Salud! :)


Licuado Energizante  Piña Colada

Ingredientes 1 porción

  • 1 cucharadas de miel
  • ½ taza de leche de coco baja en grasa
  • ½ taza de trozos de piña
  • ½ taza de cubitos de hielo
  • 1 cucharada de proteína de suero de leche sabor vainilla

Preparación
Mezcla todos los ingredientes en una licuadora. ¡Y listo para saborear!

Ingredients:

One Serving~

  • 4 oz water
  • 4 oz Low Fat Coconut Milk (I like SO Delicious Brand)
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Whey protein
  • ½  cup pineapple chunks
  • 1tbsp honey
  • ½ cup ice

 

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a blender & enjoy!

 

Have a Great One!!  Get Moving & Add some Sweetness to your life! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”……Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante y Siempre Barbara por Adentro”

PS. For many more honeylicious recipes be sure to visit www.honey.com or www.mielpura.org

 

Yummy Granola!

One of the many great things I’ve been doing since my collaboration with the National Honey Board is whipping up yummies in the kitchen! :)  My family has been loving every aroma and delish concoction I’ve been making! One of my fav’s is my healthy granola.  Granola is one of those great foods that are totally versatile. You can have it alone as a snack, on yogurt, with skim milk, even on ice cream. A great healthy treat for the whole family! However, like many things out there, some store bought granola are loaded with preservatives and added un-neccessary sugars. Precisely why my granola is so amazing! Its all natural with a touch of my fav ALL NATURAL sweetner~ Pure Honey! :) Oh, and did I mention its super easy & quick to make? Yes indeed….my kind of dishes. Quick, easy, and naturally delicious!  Buen aprovecho! :)

Healthy Granola~

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of Rolled Oats
  • 1 cup sliced Almonds
  • 1 cup raw Sunflower seeds
  • ¼ Flax seeds
  • 1/3 cup Canola Oil
  • ½ cup Honey
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp ground Cinnamon
  • ½ cup sweetened Dried cranberries

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
  2. In a large bowl, stir oats, nuts, & sunflower seeds. In a separate bowl mix oil, honey, vanilla extract, & cinnamon.  Add to the oat, nut, & seed mixture and mix well.
  3. Spread mixture onto two ungreased baking sheets.
  4. Bake in oven for 10 minutes, remove & stir. Return to the oven and bake until granola mixture is golden brown. This should take about 10 more minutes.  Once golden remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  5. Once completely cooled mix in the sweetened dried cranberries.
  6. Serve & Enjoy!

While waiting for the granola to cook utilize that time to move! Take a look at my week 5 exercise tip  The Curtsey Lungs~ Desplante con genuflexion with the National Honey Board Miel Pura :)

 

 

 

 

 

Have a Honeylicious One!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Summer…..Summer……Summer…..

Its here! Summer season is upon us. The weather is warm, the sky is blue, the sun is shining, I have an awful cold :( Yup, its true but I am stopping at nothing! I will enjoy myself this weekend! Baseball tournament and poolside grilling is the plan. To get you started on all the possible healthy indulging, I am going to share a couple of  my fav healthy grilling recipes that will not destroy all the hard work you’ve done throughout the year. Its important to have fun and stay on track. Feel confident and beautiful. There is nothing worse than seeing everyone enjoy all the great yummy’s provided during summer parties because of fear that your going to put the weight back on. This is terrible for the psychy and simply awful for the overall health of your mind and body. If you hold yourself back from eating something you truly want the inevitable will happen. You will find yourself binging and attacking the fridge late at night or when no one is watching. The best thing to do is prepare healthy dishes that you can truly enjoy, or if you are at a party that is not figure friendly  use portion control. Don’t eat the whole burger, cut it in half and load on the veggies or salad.  If all fails and the party your at has nothing but ribs and chips, stick to the protein only, and when the time is right,  politely have a matter of fact conversation with the host/hostess and talk about all the great alternatives to healthy grilling. Remember no one likes a reformed preacher, so tread lightly :) Utilize the woman’s best trait of reverse psychology :) Now, get ready to enjoy two of my fav recipes courtesy of Women’s Health Magazine :)

Turkey Gorgonzola Burger~ my mouth is watering already! Que Rico :)

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 3 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained & chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 6 100% Whole Grain buns
  • 6 tsp barbecue sauce
  • shredded cabbage

1. Preheat grill to medium. Combine first five ingredients with salt & pepper to taste in a bowl. Lightly mix together and form 6 patties. Brush them with oil.

2. Grill burgers for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until the internal temp. is 165 degrees F. Toast buns and serve. Garnish with barbecue sauce and cabbage.

Simple, delish, and so good for you!  REMEMBER barbecue sauce could be loaded with sodium and carbs. Make sure you read the labels when searching for the perfect one to add to your dish. You don’t want to ruin it with the sauce. Which is why I have provided a healthy barbecue sauce for your enjoyment :) No grilling is complete without barbecue sauce!

Barbecue Sauce

  • 2 tsp veggie oil
  • 1/2 med red onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 8oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp molasses
  • 1Tbs Pure Honey *I use honey instead of brown sugar :)
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp spicy mustard
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1. In a skillet, warm oil over med heat and cook onion about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Sauce will keep in fridge for a month.

*Makes 2 cups: Per tablespoon~ 11 cal, 0 g fat, 2 g carbs, 75 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein.

Have a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend! Be safe & Get Moving :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo   “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”


 

Miel Pura!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Una Fuente de Energia Natural! :) So excited to collaborate with The National Honey Board on the Miel Pura Energy Booster Campaign!! Starting May 16, for 8 great weeks I will be sharing all the great benefits Pure Honey provides as an ALL Natural single ingredient sweetener & energy booster. For those of us looking for an extra zing in the day whether in the office, home, or gym, a great form of keeping our energy level in check! I’ve been hitting the kitchen and whipping up some great recipes to share with you all! Yummy fruit smoothies, delish granola, perfectly nutritious granola bars, fruit snacks, energy shots, you name it!! :) All you have to do is book mark http://www.mielpura.org/campanasynoticias9.html so that you do not miss a thing! Great weekly workout videos & yummy recipes! How can you go wrong!! :)  In June I will be hitting the road with media events in major cities throughout the country. Cannot wait!! :) Now go out and get yourself some honey, honey! :) You will be pleasantly surprised on how you can substitute sugar for honey when your favorite recipe calls for a sweetener. For great tips on honey & all the great benefits it provides be sure to visit www.honey.com or www.mielpura.org

Have a Great One! Get Moving & Make it Count!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!” :)